Dam



H. H. SCHAEFER.

DAM. APPLICATION FILED JULY 23, 1921.

1,404,325. Patented Jan. 24,1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

HENRY n. SCHAEFER, or WELDONA, COLORADO.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HnNnY H. SoHAnrnR, a citizen of the United States residing at Weldona, in the county of Morgan and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dams, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to dams, and more particularly to dams or checks used in irrigation laterals or ditches.

Heretofore the general practice has been to check up the laterals or irrigation ditches v by placing across the same a dam constructed of' fabric against which dirt was piled. These fabric or canvas dams had to be replaced each year and sometimes more frequently, which resulted in a considerable expense. It has also been contemplated to provide a metallic dam which was shoved down into the earth but this has been found to be ineffective owin .to the fact that the water seeps past the am in many places and in doing so frequently washes out the dam, flooding large areas at times when this is most undesirable.

I do not know that it has been contemplated to provide a combined metallic and fabric dam, and it is the purpose of this invention to provide such a combination which will be equally asefi'ective as the fabric dams now in use, be more economical and more convenient to apply.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a combined metallic and fabric dam which may be readilyand conveniently placed in position and which will absolutely prevent seepage of the water past the dam, and further, which requires only a minimum amount of dirt to hold the dam in position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a dam of this character in which the fabric may be readily removed and replaced when necessary, and which may be conveniently attached and detached from the metallic portion or body of the dam.

Further objects of the inventionwill appear as the following specific description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the dam in position with a portion of the ground broken away to show the construction and method of placing the dam;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed m 23, 1921. Serial No. 487,039.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the dam removed from the ditch;

Figure 3 is a verticalsectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2; r F igure 4 is an edge elevation with .part of the fabric broken away to show the method of adjustment;

F igure' 5 is an enlarged detail section taken on the line 55 of'Figure 2; v

Flgure 6 is a similar section showing a modified form of wire-receiving groove;

Figure 7 is a similar section showing a further modified form of wire-receiving groove;

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view showing method of securing the gate valve in position; and

Figure 9 shows a modified form of body construction.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 represents the body which is preferably constructed of sheet metal of suitable gauge and which is treated in any suitable manner to prevent corrosion. This body is substantially semi-oval in shape and has extending diagonally across the same from upper to lower edges, the angle iron braces 2 and 3, the latter'of which has its lower end extending below the lower edge of the body forming a ground-penetrating prong 4: which is adapted to enter the ground at the bottom of the ditch and prevent displacement of the dam.

Secured across the top of the dam, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, is a T-iron 5 whose vertical flange is riveted, spot-welded or otherwise secured to the body, and has its ends projecting beyond the side edges of the body and adapted to form penetrating webs 6 which enter the ground on the sides of the ditch, as will be readily understood, to prevent shifting of the upper or top side of the dam against the pressure of the water. The forward horizontal flange of the T-iron 5 is preferably provided with apertures 7 in theextension to receive fastening bolts or screws, which are entered into or passed through wooden retaining clamps 8 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The outer edge of the body 1 is bent laterally to form a flange 9, and securedadjacent the marginal edge is a strip of metal 10, having also a laterally bent edge 11 which coacts with the flange 9 to form a groove 12 in which the retaining wire 13 for the fabric skirt 14 is retained. This skirt 14 is provided with a hem 15 on its inner edge, and

then extended through holes 16 in one horizontal flange of the T-iron 5 where it receives the thumb-nuts 17 for securing the wire in position.

In practice the wire is passed through the hem'and the cloth then fulled upon the wire J after which the terminal ends of the wire, which are screw-threaded, are passed through the opening 16 in one of the horizontal flanges of the T-iron, and the wire clamped within the groove 12 by the application of the thumb-nuts. The terminal endsof the fabric are passed between the clamping bars 8 and the vertical flange of the angle iron 5 and secured in position by the bolts or screws.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a simple and eflicient means of attaching a fabric dirt-receiving skirt to a metallic dam in such manner that it may be readilyremoved and replaced when desired. Inpractice the dam is placed within the lateral which conforms in shape to the shape of the body of the dam, with the fabric skirt lying upon the ground on the upstream side of the dam. Dirt is'then piled upon the skirt so as to prevent seepage and to supplement the holding of the damby the spur, f1 and ver tical flange 6.

Formed in the body of the dam adjacent the upper chordal edge thereof is an opening 18 which is normally closed by a valve 19 pivoted, as at 20, to the body. This valve is held in closed position by a spring shown in Figure 8, which spring is numbered 21 and is provided with a forwardly extending operating arm 22 which, when depressed, will release the engaging point 23 from the gate and thus permit the opening of the same.

The point'23 preferably engages the gate adjacent its upper edge so'that when the gate is moved'upwardly to open the same 1t w11l' have to move to practically full open posi- "tion before getting out of the path of the point 23. This insures proper holding of the valve 19 in all positions of adjustment,

that is, the valve may be opened to any degree desired.

In the modlfied form shown in Figure 6, the marginal edge of the body is provided with a plurality of equally spaced cuts, and the resultant tongues 24: are alternately bent in opposite directions to produce the wirereceivlng groove. In the modification shown in Figure 7, the lower marginal edge of the body is bent laterally in one direction and other suitable manner, land-side extensions 29 of wood to which is secured the fabric of the dirt-receiving skirt.

l/VhatIclaim is: i a

1. A dam for irrigation ditches comprising a rigidjbody adapted to fit the contour of the ditch, a flexible member clamped around the edge of the body and a flexible skirt removably mounted upon the member.

2. A dam for irrigation ditches comprising a rigid body adapted to fit the contour of the ditch, a wire removably clamped around the edge of thebody, and a flexible skirt removably mounted upon the wire.

3. In a dam for irrigation ditches comprising a rigid body adapted to fit the contour'of the ditch, said body having a grooved edge, a Wire removably secured in the groove, and a flexible skirt removably secured to the wlre. I

4. A dam for irrigation ditches comprising a rigidbody adapted to fit the contour of the ditch, areinforcing member secured upon the top of the body, said body having a grooved edge, a wire fitted within the groove, means for securing the terminal ends of the wire tothe reinforcing member, and a flexible skirt removably secured on the wlre.

5. A dam for. irrigation ditches comprising arigid body adapted to fit the contour of the ditch, a reinforcing member secured upon the top'of the body, said body having a groovededge, a flexible member fitting within the groove, means for securing the the ditch, a reinforcing member secured upon the top of the body, said body having a'grooved edge, a wire fitted within the groove and having ends threaded through said reinforcing member, nuts engaged upon said threaded ends for securing the wire, and a flexible skirt removably secured on the wire.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

HENRY H. SCHAEFER. 

